Japan May Extend Covid - 19 State Of Emergency


Japan may extend COVID-19 state of emergency

Japanese officials say the government may have to extend its state of emergency, if no major improvement is seen in the number of coronavirus infections.

A state of emergency is currently in effect for Tokyo and 10 other prefectures until February 7.

Health authorities on Tuesday reported nearly 4,000 new infections across Japan. That marked a modest decline since the state of emergency was issued on January 7.

Tokyo's daily tally dropped below 1,000 on Wednesday, with 973 cases newly confirmed. The number has been fluctuating around 1,000 in recent days.

But experts say cases in the capital are declining at a slow pace and the proportion of elderly people infected is rising.

And the daily death toll across Japan hit its second-highest number of 104 on Tuesday. That's the third time fatalities have reached triple digits since the pandemic began.

Hospitals are under strain, and there are worries that the number of serious cases could rise further among the elderly.

The minister in charge of the country's coronavirus response said in the diet that the government should give citizens advanced notice on what it plans to do next.

Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi said, "It would be confusing if we decide on the extension right before the planned expiration date. We will decide at the appropriate time."

The government plans to continue monitoring infections and the strain on the medical system.